My name is Chris, and I am considering becoming a vegan. I had tried vegitarianism a few years ago and was relatively successful for a few months. I do however really want to dive into veganism when I move out on my own for both health and moral reasons. As most people in these forums, I love to eat, cook and bake. I am hopeful that although this is the biggest hurdle to overcome, perhaps learning a new way to cook and using new ingredients will help my transition. I am already researching the basics to vegan and cooking (mainly substitutions), and plan on start trying recipes next week!

Sorry about rambling on, and I am sure most new posts are relative to that, but I just wanted to introduce myself because you will probably see me a lot around these parts. :D

Hi I am Alaina, used my real name for my username. I've been a vegetarian since I was 14, although I think I found out more and about all those hidden meat ingredients when I was college. I decided to go vegan almost two years ago, did a transition period and have been vegan for over a year. I feel so stupid for not having done it years ago!

hey! kitty cats and potatoes to all!! my fiance and I are having about 40 friends over for a feast this summer, and we happen to be getting married the same day. could anyone recommend a stellar caterer in Portland, OR? :)

Hi everyone! I've considered joining for awhile and have finally taken the plunge. I'm Sam, 22, grad student (public health) and vegan of almost 5 years. I really only started baking (Isa is a genius) and cooking after going vegan, am in love with people's food photogaphy, and am always interested in learning more in the kitchen and about health and nutrition in general. Looking forward to getting to know you better!

_________________When people ask about my plans for after graduation: "PhD in knitting blanket forts, bisque!" -Mars

Hi everyone, I'm Susie, 38, live in the UK, vegetarian on an off for a while (currently on), trying to cook/ eat as much vegan as possible. I've lurked here on and off for ages (don't be scared...) and you seem like nice people so I thought I'd join in and say hello. Hello! ;-)

been vegan a few years, veggie a few years before that, now transitioning to 100% raw again, I tried it once before but started in summer and it got harder towards the cold weather, this time i've started during the freezing cold and snow so it should, in theory, get easier this time.

_________________"be the change you wish to see in the world".... Gandhi

Hi everyone! I've considered joining for awhile and have finally taken the plunge. I'm Sam, 22, grad student (public health) and vegan of almost 5 years. I really only started baking (Isa is a genius) and cooking after going vegan, am in love with people's food photogaphy, and am always interested in learning more in the kitchen and about health and nutrition in general. Looking forward to getting to know you better!

Hi, Sam! I'm hoping to get an MPH myself in a few years. Welcome!

And welcome to all the other n00bs as well!

_________________"One time I meant to send a potential employer a resume, but I accidentally sent them a bucket of puke!

Awesome! Ovo-lacto for over 20 years, been toying with vegan recently. Punk Rocker for my entire life, love to cook, very athletic, living at the Grand Canyon. Just found the site, recipes look incredible.

Hi, Michelle here. Live in the UK. Just bought Appitite for Reduction and now joined here.Have been veggie for over 25 years but didn't like milk or the way cows are treated. So have now gone vegan. Am going over to Hawaii, San Francisco and Monterey next week, so any recommendations for vegan eateries greatfully received.

Hello I'm Rae. I'm a student (of Biochemistry) in the UK who was a vegetarian for 10 years before deciding to go vegan a few months ago. I love it! I like to jog in the mornings and have a lot of pictures of food on my phone that I take pleasure in looking at after eating. I also like to bake. Recently I made Crispy Peanut Butter Cookies from Vegan with a Vengeance, and they were delicious!

_________________A man said to the universe:“Sir, I exist!"“However,” replied the universe,“The fact has not created in meA sense of obligation.” - Stephen Crane

I'm Lisa. I'm a Southerner by birth, but am currently living in Ohio with my omni boyfriend and our 3 cats. I've been a vegan since 2011 and I love cooking, eating, and looking at delicious food. I'm also a cookbook addict. I've been lurking here for quite a while, but finally created an account last week so I can participate.

_________________"But, the deity that turns sin to hummus would be one that brings me out of atheism." - leonardo

Hi I'm Emma. I live in Coventry in the UK. I turned Vegetarian in August 2012 & a month later I was Vegan & have been since. I love takeaways & junk food, but have started cooking my own food & baking my own bread since being Vegan.I don't have any Vegan friends, but would love some.

Hi There! I'm Morgan from the gorgeous PNW, vegan after some soul searching. I read "The Vegan Girl's Guide to Life" after some intense failures in my animal free diet and bam! here I am. Veganism just suits my neo-hippie-tree hugging life style. Super excited to meet other veg-heads!

_________________"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

1. There are to be four contestants. Roomates, all of them, called forth by the scent of battle.2. Each food warrior is to test their courage in the kitchen through a meal, prepared for the judgement and elation of the other three.3. One meal shall be cooked a week.4. That meal shall be vegan.5. That meal shall be prepared in accordance with the chosen theme.6. There shall be much smack talk.7. All shall dine upon the meal, offer unto the warrior chef their feedback and damn them with faint praised and/or outright cussing.8. After all have fought in food battle, there shall be a secret ballot. None shall vote for their own meal, but instead pick among them the most worthy peer.9. They who have the most votes shall be declared the victor. Accolades and eternal glory shall befall them… until the next theme is chosen.

Hey, I'm Pebbles, real nickname Chrissy. I've been a vegetarian for over a year but am tip-toeing my way to veganism for the last while. I live in Ireland and haven't really come across any vegans until about two months ago, which made me start thinking about it.

Hello! I'm David, I live in South Philly. I turned lacto-ovo when I was 15, then after many years of that I stopped caring about anything related to food. Just a month ago, after dorking out on nutrition and ethics for a good while, I realized I needed to go vegan. I'm loving it, and finally feel good about what I'm eating. :)

Been lurking for a minute - great spot to converse about veganism from the looks of it!

Hello! My real name is Lisa and I have been vegan since 2007. I'm originally from Massachusetts, but have lived in England since 1990. Looking forward to getting to know people on this forum. I am a huge fan of Isa's work; every recipe I have ever tried has been a huge delicious success!